Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Program

Virginia’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program —
formerly AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children AFDC) — is a
federal/state public assistance program authorized by the Code of
Virginia and Title IV-A of the Social Security Act. TANF is funded
through a federal block grant and through state funds authorized by the
Virginia General Assembly.

The purpose of TANF is to provide temporary cash assistance to families
in need and to end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits
by promoting job preparation and work. With few exceptions, assistance
under TANF is restricted to a lifetime limit of 60 cumulative months.

A child may be eligible if he or she:

is a resident of Virginia

is under age 18, or is 18 and will graduate from high school before age
19

lives with one or both parents or a close relative

is a U.S. citizen or an eligible alien.*

*Eligible alien refers to immigrants eligible for public benefits
under the 1996 federal welfare reform legislation, including: permanent
residents, asylees, refugees, parolees, deportees and veterans. (Some
exceptions apply based on the date the alien status was assigned and date
of entry to the U.S.)

As a general rule, families with children who are eligible for TANF may
also receive Medicaid. Able-to-work parents receiving TANF, unless
otherwise exempted, are required to participate in the Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare
(VIEW) program — the employment program for TANF recipients — and
work for as long as the family receives TANF benefits.

People required to participate in VIEW can receive TANF only for a
24-month period. They may be eligible for TANF benefits again after not
having received this assistance for a period of 24 to 36 months.

TANF Grants

The following are maximum monthly TANF payment or "grant"
amounts according to family size. If the family receives wages or other
income (for example, social security or pensions), the TANF grant may be
lower.

In the chart below, family size refers to the number of TANF-eligible
family members: a family of one is the child or parent/relative
only; a family of two is a parent/relative and one child; a family
of three is a parent/relative and two children, etc.

Family Size

1

2

3

4

5

6

7 or over

TANF Grant

$242.00

$323.00

$389.00

$451.00

$537.00

$570.00

Same amount as for family of 6

Anyone receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through Social
Security is not eligible to receive TANF; however, even if a child or a
parent/relative receives SSI, other family members could be
eligible.

This information is to be used as a guideline
only
and is not intended to replace TANF program policy.